Apple Forced to Pay Samsung’s Legal Fees in the UK Over Apology Shenanigans

Unlike in the US, Apple was handed a resounding defeat during its legal truffle with Samsung in the UK. Unfortunately for Apple however, the judge did a bit more than throw the case out. Judge Robin Jacob ordered the company to publically apologize to Samsung on the front page of its website, and gave them a tight timeline to comply. How did Apple respond? First they posted a halfhearted apology, then when the judge ordered them to try again, they used a bit of web trickery to hide the proper apology, regardless of browser type or resolution. The judge as you could imagine, was not impressed.

The Court of Appeal has now ordered Apple to pay all of Samsung’s legal fees on an “indemnity basis”, and is no doubt hoping it will properly humiliate the company over all the hassle. Apple was already most likely on the hook given the defeat, but the indemnity ruling will make this an even more expensive experiment for Apple.

Apple’s attempt to cover up the verdict didn’t just shine a broader international spotlight on the issue, it also kept the verdict in the news cycle weeks longer then it would have otherwise. We appreciate the irony of watching a company that is renowned for its ability to control the media, fail so miserably.